Chicago Hounds (rugby union)

Professional rugby union team from Chicago, Illinois, US

Rugby team

Chicago Hounds

Full name| Chicago Hounds
Founded| 2022; 3 years ago (2022)
Location| Bridgeview, Illinois
Ground(s)| SeatGeek Stadium[1][2] (Capacity: 20,000)
CEO| James English[3]
Coach(es)| Chris Latham[4]
Captain(s)| Bill Meakes
Most caps| Maclean Jones (33)
Top scorer| Luke Carty (127)
Most tries| Julian Dominguez, Dylan Fawsitt (14)
League(s)| Major League Rugby
2023| 6th (Western Conference)

Team kit

Official website
www.chicagohounds.com

The Chicago Hounds are an American professional rugby union team based in the Chicago metropolitan area that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). The team was founded in 2022 and is co-owned by a small group of investors including majority owner Peter Bernick and part-owners (and longtime Chicago rugby players) Matt Satchwell and Phil Groves.[5][6][7] Their home stadium is SeatGeek Stadium. Games are broadcast on Marquee Sports Network.[8]

## History

[edit]

On November 17, 2022, Major League Rugby announced the Chicago Hounds as the newest expansion franchise to begin play in 2023, following the discontinuation of the MLR franchises in Austin and Los Angeles.[9] The Hounds compete in the Western Conference.[10] Their first game was against Old Glory DC on February 18, 2023.[11] The Hounds finished their inaugural season ranked 5th among the 6 teams of the Western Conference and 9th among the 12 teams then in MLR. Of their three wins that season, two were against the Dallas Jackals in a rivalry match dubbed the Dog Bowl.[12]

## Home field

[edit]

The team plays its home matches at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois.[13][14]

## Players and personnel

[edit]

### Current squad

[edit]

The Chicago Hounds squad for the 2025 Major League Rugby season is:[15]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

| Player  | Position  | Union

|
|

Dylan Fawsitt | Hooker |  United States
Janus Venter | Hooker |  South Africa
Will Vakalahi | Hooker |  United States
Jackson Zabierek | Hooker |  United States
Charlie Abel | Prop |  Australia
Kody Baker | Prop |  United States
Liam Fletcher | Prop |  Australia
Ignacio Péculo | Prop |  Uruguay
Fakaʻosi Pifeleti | Prop |  United States
Paddy Ryan | Prop |  United States
Zurabi Zhvania | Prop |  Georgia
Hamish Bain | Lock |  Scotland
Tavius Sykora-Matthess | Lock |  United States
George Merrick | Lock |  England
James Scott | Lock |  England
Brad Tucker* | Lock |  New Zealand
Conall Boomer | Back row |  Ireland
Mason Flesch | Back row |  Canada
Maclean Jones | Back row |  Australia
Jake Kinneeveauk | Back row |  United States
Matthew Oworu | Back row |  Canada
Lucas Rumball | Back row |  Canada
Luke White | Back row |  United States
| Player  | Position  | Union

|
|

Michael Baska | Scrum-half |  United States
Jason Higgins | Scrum-half |  Canada
Mitch Short | Scrum-half |  New Zealand
Christopher Hilsenbeck | Fly-half |  Germany
Kian Meadon | Fly-half |  South Africa
Tim Swiel | Fly-half |  South Africa
Sam Walsh | Fly-half |  United States
Bryce Campbell | Centre |  United States
Ollie Devoto | Centre |  England
Noah Flesch | Centre |  Canada
Mark O'Keeffe | Centre |  United States
Peyton Wall | Centre |  United States
Nate Augspurger | Wing |  United States
Noah Brown | Wing |  United States
Julián Domínguez | Wing |  Argentina
Michael Hand | Wing |  United States
Adriaan Carelse | Fullback |  South Africa
Ben Pollack* | Fullback |  Australia

* Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
* * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
* MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.

### Head coaches

[edit]

* Sam Harris (2023–2024)[16]

* Chris Latham (2025–present)[4]

## Assistant coaches

[edit]

* Rob Webber, forwards coach (2023–present)
* Dave Clancy, attack, backs coach (2023–present)[17]
* Jamie Beamish, Head of Performance (2023–present)[17]

### Captains

[edit]

* Bryce Campbell
* Billy Meakes
* Luke White

## Records

[edit]

### Season standings

[edit]

Season  | Conference  | Regular season  | Postseason

|
|
|

Pos  | Pld  | W  | D  | L  | F  | A  | +/−  | BP  | Pts  | Pld  | W  | L  | F  | A  | +/−  | Result
2023 | Western | 5th | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 327 | 497 | -170 | 8 | 20 | - | - | - | - | - | - | Did not qualify
2024 | Eastern | 3rd | 16 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 454 | 387 | +67 | 11 | 45 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 62 | 44 | +18 | Won East Conference Eliminator Game (New Orleans Gold) 45-21
Lost Conference Final (New England Free Jacks)
Totals | 32 | 11 | 1 | 20 | 781 | 884 | -103 | 19 | 65 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 62 | 44 | +18 | 1 postseason appearance

## 2023 season

[edit]

The Hounds played 16 games in the 2023 season. Home games were played at SeatGeek Stadium. The Hounds had their first-ever regular season victory on March 18 against the Dallas Jackals.

Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Location | Result

|
|
|
|

February 18 | Old Glory DC | Away | Segra Field | Lost, 42–27
March 5 | Utah Warriors | Home | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 14–10
March 11 | Toronto Arrows | Home | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 34–31
March 18 | Dallas Jackals | Home | SeatGeek Stadium | Won, 24–22
March 26 | Seattle Seawolves | Home | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 27–5
April 2 | Houston SaberCats | Home | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 38–21
April 8 | New England Free Jacks | Away | Veterans Memorial Stadium | Lost, 31–19
April 16 | San Diego Legion | Away | Snapdragon Stadium | Lost, 48–24
April 23 | NOLA Gold | Home | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 37–24
May 6 | Rugby ATL | Away | Silverbacks Park | Lost, 27–12
May 14 | New York Ironworkers | Home | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 21–20
May 20 | Seattle Seawolves | Away | Starfire Sports Complex | Lost, 35–13
May 27 | Houston SaberCats | Away | SaberCats Stadium | Lost, 40–33
June 3 | San Diego Legion | Home | SeatGeek Stadium | Lost, 14–36
June 10 | Utah Warriors | Away | Zions Bank Stadium | Won, 26–24
June 17 | Dallas Jackals | Away | Choctaw Stadium | Won, 29–28

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Harvey, Joe (December 30, 2022). "Getting to Know the Chicago Hounds with James English & Sam Harris". OurSports Central.
2. ^ Pengelly, Martin (November 2, 2022). "Major League Rugby announces new team in Chicago after LA and Austin exit". the Guardian.
3. ^ McCarthy, Matt (November 17, 2022). "Chicago Hounds 12th Major League Rugby Team. MLR Expansion Team Details". Rugby Wrap Up.
4. ^ a b "Chicago Hounds appoint new head coach". chicagohounds.com. Retrieved February 20, 2025.
5. ^ "Hounds Announce Plans for Dawg Town Block Party". Chicago Hounds. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
6. ^ "Getting To Know The Chicago Hounds With James English & Sam Harris". Major League Rugby. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
7. ^ "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO CHICAGO". Major League Rugby. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
8. ^ "MARQUEE SPORTS NETWORK ANNOUNCES BROADCAST PARTNERSHIP WITH CHICAGO'S EXPANSION MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY FRANCHISE". Retrieved July 27, 2023.
9. ^ "Austin and LA out for MLR 2023, Chicago set to join". Americas Rugby News. October 25, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
10. ^ "Major League Rugby officially announces expansion into Chicago". Major League Rugby (Press release). November 17, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
11. ^ "Chicago Hounds Unveil Name, Logo as Major League Rugby's Newest Expansion Team". WMAQ-TV. November 17, 2022.
12. ^ "Dallas pushes until the very end". Major League Rugby (Press release). March 19, 2023. Retrieved July 28, 2023.
13. ^ Rivera, Mark (November 17, 2022). "Professional rugby expands to Midwest with new team, the Chicago Hounds". WLS-TV.
14. ^ "Chicago Hounds Return to Dawg Town for 2024 Season". Chicago Hounds. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
15. ^ "Chicago Hounds". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved January 13, 2025.
16. ^ Chen, I-Chun (November 18, 2022). "Meet the Chicago Hounds, Major League Rugby's latest franchise". Chicago Business Journal..
17. ^ a b "Hounds Announce Experienced Staff for 2023 Season". Chicago Hounds (Press release). January 11, 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Chicago Hounds

* Founded 2022
* Based in Chicago, Illinois

Venues|

* SeatGeek Stadium (2023–present)

People|

* Captains
* Current squad
* Head coaches

Seasons|

* 2023

* v
* t
* e

Chicago Hounds - current squad

Forwards|

* Charlie Abel
* Fred Apulu
* Conall Boomer
* Sam Faoagali
* Dylan Fawsitt
* Mason Flesch
* Maclean Jones
* Ben Landry
* Mike Matarazzo
* George Merrick
* Tinashe Muchena
* Ignacio Péculo
* Juan Pen
* Sam Peri
* Ethan Parkins
* Guillermo Pujadas
* Nicolás Revol
* Lucas Rumball
* Paddy Ryan
* James Scott
* Alu Taito
* Brad Tucker
* Luke White
* Zurabi Zhvania

Backs|

* Nate Augspurger
* Michael Baska
* Noah Brown
* Bryce Campbell
* Adriaan Carelse
* Luke Carty
* Daelan Denenberg
* Julián Domínguez
* Caolan Dooley
* Willis Goodwin
* Jason Higgins
* Dave Kearney
* Cassh Maluia
* Nick McCarthy
* Kian Meadon
* Bill Meakes
* Mark O'Keeffe
* Sidney Shoop

Coach|

* Rob Webber

* v
* t
* e

Major League Rugby

Teams|

| Active Teams|

* Anthem Rugby Carolina
* Chicago Hounds
* Houston SaberCats
* Miami Sharks
* New England Free Jacks
* New Orleans Gold
* Old Glory DC
* Rugby Football Club Los Angeles
* San Diego Legion
* Seattle Seawolves
* Utah Warriors

|

Former teams|

* Austin Gilgronis
* Colorado Raptors
* Dallas Jackals
* LA Giltinis
* Rugby New York
* Toronto Arrows

By year|

| Seasons|

* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

Championships|

* 2018
* 2019
* ~~2020~~
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Player transfers|

* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23
* 2023–24

Draft|

* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

See also|

| MLR Virtual|

* 2020

|

* Category

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Sports teams based in Illinois

Baseball|

MLB
Chicago Cubs
Chicago White Sox

Peoria Chiefs

Chicago Dogs
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Basketball|

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Rugby league|

MWRL
Chicago Stockyarders

Rugby union|

MLR
Chicago Hounds
RSL
Chicago Griffins RFC
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MRFU
Rowdies Rugby Football Club
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Soccer|

MLS
Chicago Fire FC
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Indoor soccer|

Chicago Mustangs

Ultimate|

UFA
Chicago Union

College
athletics|

| NCAA
Division I|

* Bradley Braves
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* DePaul Blue Demons
* Eastern Illinois Panthers
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* Loyola Ramblers
* Northern Illinois Huskies
* Northwestern Wildcats
* SIU Edwardsville Cougars
* Southern Illinois Salukis
* UIC Flames
* Western Illinois Leathernecks

|

NCAA
Division II|

* Lewis Flyers
* McKendree Bearcats
* Quincy Hawks
* Roosevelt Lakers
* UIS Prairie Stars

NCAA
Division III|

* Augustana Vikings
* Aurora Spartans
* Benedictine Eagles
* Blackburn Beavers
* Concordia Cougars
* Chicago Maroons
* Dominican Stars
* Elmhurst Bluejays
* Eureka Red Devils
* Greenville Panthers
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* Illinois Wesleyan Titans
* Knox Prairie Fire
* Lake Forest Foresters
* Monmouth Fighting Scots
* Millikin Big Blue
* North Central Cardinals
* North Park Vikings
* Principia Panthers
* Rockford Regents
* Wheaton Thunder

NAIA|

* Governors State Jaguars
* Judson Eagles
* Lincoln Christian Red Lions
* Olivet Nazarene Tigers
* St. Francis Fighting Saints
* Saint Xavier Cougars
* Trinity Christian Trolls
* Trinity International Trojans

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Sports teams based in the Chicago metropolitan area

Baseball|

MLB
Chicago Cubs
Chicago White Sox

Chicago Dogs
Gary SouthShore RailCats
Kane County Cougars

Joliet Slammers
Schaumburg Boomers
Windy City ThunderBolts
NorL
Crestwood Panthers
DuPage County Hounds
Joliet Generals
Northwest Indiana Oilmen
Southland Vikings

Basketball|

NBA
Chicago Bulls
WNBA
Chicago Sky
G League
Windy City Bulls
ABA
Chicago Fury
Chicago Steam
Libertyville Vipers

Esports|

CDL
OpTic Chicago

Football|

NFL
Chicago Bears

Hockey|

NHL
Chicago Blackhawks
AHL
Chicago Wolves
USHL
Chicago Steel

Lacrosse|

CILL
Chicago Outlaws
MCLC
Chicago Lacrosse Club
Chitown Lacrosse Club
Lincoln Park Lacrosse Club
Windy City Lacrosse Club

Roller derby|

USARS
Chicago Red Hots
WFTDA
Chicago Outfit Roller Derby
Windy City Rollers

Rugby|

MLR
Chicago Hounds
USAR
Chicago Griffins RFC
Chicago Lions RFC

Soccer|

MLS
Chicago Fire FC
MLSNP
Chicago Fire FC II
USL2
Chicago City SC
USLW
Chicago City SC
NWSL
Chicago Stars FC

Indoor soccer|

Chicago Mustangs

Australian rules football|

USAFL
Chicago Swans

Ultimate|

UFA
Chicago Union

Team tennis|

WTT
Chicago Smash

College athletics
(NCAA Division I)|

* Chicago State Cougars
* DePaul Blue Demons
* Loyola Ramblers
* Northern Illinois Huskies
* Northwestern Wildcats
* UIC Flames
* Valparaiso Beacons

College athletics
(NCAA Division II)|

* Lewis Flyers
* Parkside Rangers
* Purdue Northwest Pride
* Roosevelt Lakers

College athletics
(NCAA Division III)|

* Aurora Spartans
* Benedictine Eagles
* Carthage Firebirds
* Chicago Maroons
* Concordia Cougars
* Dominican Stars
* Elmhurst Bluejays
* Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks
* Lake Forest Foresters
* North Central Cardinals
* North Park Vikings
* Wheaton Thunder

College athletics
(NAIA)|

* CCSJ Crimson Wave
* Governors State Jaguars
* IU Northwest Redhawks
* Judson Eagles
* Olivet Nazarene Tigers
* St. Francis Fighting Saints
* Saint Xavier Cougars
* Trinity Christian Trolls

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